‘Survivor: Philippines’ Pre-Game Interview: Roberta ‘RC’ Saint-Amour

XfinityTV.com sent me deep into the wilderness on a mission to bring you all kinds of “Survivor” stuff including behind-the-scenes tidbits, pre-game interviews with the cast, insights from “Survivor” host Jeff Probst and Challenge Producer John Kirhoffer, a look at the first Tribal Council, and much more. I’ll be cranking out this goodness daily, so be sure to follow me on Twitter (@gordonholmes) for up-to-the-minute updates on all of this season’s “Survivor” fun.

Gordon Holmes: Alright, what is hoop rolling?Roberta “RC” Saint-Amour: (Laughs) It’s Wellesley’s most beloved tradition. When every senior graduates they participate in hoop rolling. And it’s said that the winner is supposed to achieve success however she defines it. So, I rolled my hoop in my cap and gown, one eighth of a mile, and I actually won.Holmes: You’ve yet to explain what hoop rolling is.Saint-Amour: Oh! You roll this big wooden hoop and you just bat it.Holmes: With like a stick? I feel like that’s a thing.Saint-Amour: Oh, see…you would’ve done well, but it’s not as good as your hand. There were some girls there with the stick, but they didn’t win. The key is to go steady and not to get too anxious.Holmes: Do you think your hoop-rolling prowess will serve you well on “Survivor”?Saint-Amour: I don’t think the hoop-rolling prowess in general lends itself, but I think the techniques really lend itself to “Survivor.” I practiced hard, I went through the motions, I was mentally and physically prepared. And I think that’s how I’m going to be on “Survivor.”Holmes: Say it’s day 38 and you’re at that final immunity challenge and Jeff Probst shows up with some hoops…Saint-Amour: (Laughs) Done!

Holmes: It says in your bio that one of your pet peeves is annoying people…Saint-Amour: (Laughs) I know! I didn’t realize that that was going to be published. And I work 15-hour days. That particular week I worked 20-hour days, so I didn’t care. You probably got the best of me there. Hopefully I’ll be able to stay tight-lipped around those people.Holmes: You’re in the business world, you obviously don’t love everybody you have to deal with on a day-to-day basis. Can you keep those things under wraps?Saint-Amour: I think I’m better than I actually am. I’ve had so much practice at this time. I think you know going into this experience that you’re going to have to do it.

Holmes: It also says in your bio…Saint-Amour: (Laughs) Oh no…Holmes: I feel like you’re coming into this with a negative attitude. We’re all friends here.Saint-Amour: (Laughs) You know everything about me?Holmes: And what do you know about me?Saint-Amour: Nothing.Holmes: See, but you’ll learn. That’ll be our goal.Saint-Amour: Good.Holmes: Because that will serve you well while you’re out there. Information about a random reporter guy.

Holmes: OK, back to the bio. Says here that one of the things you’d take on a deserted island is a puppy.Saint-Amour: (Laughs) Yes.Holmes: What are you going to do for 39 days with a puppy?Saint-Amour: (Laughs) I tried to actually get them to change that answer.Holmes: Follow-up question; why do you hate puppies?Saint-Amour: I love puppies. How fun would a puppy be on an island?Holmes: This poor puppy would starve. Now, it’s not right for me to judge you…Saint-Amour: Cause we’ve just met!Holmes: I’m not comfortable with your level of puppy hatred.Saint-Amour: If you’re going to be on an island you have no other entertainment and a puppy is really cute. I’d get it food.

Holmes: What are your first impressions of the cast?Saint-Amour: They seem like really with it. They really seem like they’re here to play a game. There are no softballs where you think that person is going to get voted out first. I’m trying to really reserve who I want to align myself with or vote off or anything of that nature because you really don’t know these people. So, I’m excited.Holmes: What about their behavior makes you think they’re players?Saint-Amour: You can tell some people with where they eat, what they wear, where they sit, what they read. You can tell some people are more careful about that than others.

Holmes: One of the things that always comes up is deception. Do you have any issues with lying?Saint-Amour: No. Is that a question? (Laughs) This is “Survivor”!Holmes: I can’t discuss this cast, but I can discuss past casts. Some people come here and claim that they aren’t going to lie.Saint-Amour: Listen, I don’t lie in my regular life, but this is a game! You’re out here for a reason.Holmes: I agree. I’m of the opinion that you know what you’ve signed up for.Saint-Amour: Yeah.Holmes: Like I wouldn’t lie to my mom. Unless we were in the game together and I needed to get her out.Saint-Amour: (Laughs) I think I have a line drawn, and I’m willing to veer one way or the other. You never know until you’re out there.

Holmes: How about flirting? Is there a line drawn there?Saint-Amour: Am I flirting with you? (Laughs)Holmes: This won’t get you ahead in the game. I’m talking about when you’re out in the wilderness.Saint-Amour: Fine…yes, that would be the answer.

Holmes: Are you a big “Survivor” fan?Saint-Amour: Huge!Holmes: They asked you which “Survivor” player you’re like and you said you aren’t like any “Survivor” player.Saint-Amour: Right. Who would you say I’m like?Holmes: You’re very funny, like in a good way. You’re very personable. You remind me a little of Brenda Lowe (“Survivor: Nicaragua”) before she played the game. She was a lot more fun and carefree in her pre-game interviews than she was on the show.Saint-Amour: Oh, very interesting.Holmes: So, I’m not a fan of that question because it’s always “I’m like Parvati, except…” or “I’m like Brandon, but…” I’m interested in the way you’re going to play this game. So, my question is, if you could align with a past “Survivor” player, who would it be and why?Saint-Amour: Oh…this is very telling. Stephen Fishbach (“Survivor: Tocantins”), I think he’s very strategic, I think he’s non-athletic. (Laughs) I think he’s a New Yorker. I think we’d get along very well. And I think I could get him to trust me. I think we’d do very well together.

Holmes: OK, last question.Saint-Amour: Aww…does it have to be?Holmes: Flirting with me gets you nothing!Saint-Amour: (Laughs) It’s the gazebo.Holmes: It is nice. Alright, what are your plans for that million-dollar check?Saint-Amour: I don’t want to count my chickens before they hatch. I think it’s very important for me, because I’m in finance, to have financial stability. So, for me it’s enough to put the money in the bank and have it when I need it.